A Message from Baty

This month, Longue Vue signed on to a letter asking Congress to protect Section 106 of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). I am reaching out to our community to express how important this issue is, not only for Longue Vue but for all historic spaces, and to offer some tools for personal advocacy.

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act affects all of us living in New Orleans, whether or not we realize it in our day-to-day lives. It is the reason we have a voice in whether historic spaces are preserved or removed to make room for new development. Section 106 does not prevent development, but it does insist on a process that includes reflection on what citizens care about and want to protect in our built environment.

As respected preservationist and Longue Vue National Council member Suzanne Turner explains, “Much of the business and warehouse districts were saved because of Section 106 and related tax credits for rehabilitation and preservation. And that kind of incentive to invest in historic spaces could disappear.”

Recently, an appointed advisory council officially recommended gutting Section 106 and allowing federal demolition and construction projects to alter or remove historic properties with essentially no process at all.

Here is some of what the advisory council recommendations propose:

– Removing the requirement that federal agencies try to avoid or minimize damage to historic architecture, neighborhoods, and landscape
– Removing the requirement to notify state and local governments and to allow for comment when a federal agency proposes damaging or destroying a historic place in their jurisdiction
– Making the public comment period and consultation with tribal communities optional
– Narrowing the definition of historic property and how effects on historic properties are evaluated
– Favoring unilateral federal agency control over nearly every step of the process

Historic preservation is frankly new to me, and I will refer you to actual experts to explain the details and fine print (see below for resources). But I can tell you this, sincerely and personally: Since beginning my work at Longue Vue in 2019, I have learned a great deal about the expansive values that preservation embraces. It is a foundation for storytelling, for community, for environmental responsibility, for connections through beauty, for civic pride.

In New Orleans and across Louisiana, preservation is also a foundational piece of our economy, thanks to the millions of visitors who come to experience our historic sites, and to appreciate our recognized expertise in historic preservation, each year. Many of these visitors come to Longue Vue, where I see first-hand how our historic house and landscape can move, inspire, and connect people, including people from vastly different backgrounds and life experiences.

In brief, my work at Longue Vue has convinced me of the importance of protecting and caring for our shared historic spaces, and I hope you will join my call for Congress to do just that.

If this resonates with you, please write to your congressional representatives and to Governor Jeff Landry, who serves on the advisory council that has proposed the changes to Section 106. Urge them to oppose regulatory changes that strip historic preservation protections and to insist on a review process whenever historic projects are involved in development. (Contact information and additional resources are provided below and are linked here.)

Historic preservation opens the literal doorways to our shared heritage and stories: stories that educate, challenge, and inspire; stories worth sharing with generations to come. Preservation has purpose, at Longue Vue and beyond; please join us in making the case for it.

Sincerely,

Stella Baty Landis, Ph.D.
Executive Director